Newspaper Reviews

" 'Kidnapper' was a pervert, claims ex-wife" Declares the News of the World

"CRAZED kidnap suspect Mick Donovan threatened to KILL his own two daughters – after barricading himself inside his house with them." Claims another headline this morning

"Shannon Matthews' kidnap suspect sexually abused two boys," another story continues.

Michael Donovan apparently visited Amanda Hyatt, 25, the neighbour and younger sister of Karen Matthews 'regularly' (or up to four times a week - it depends on which newspaper you read as to how often he visited?) Since Shannon disappeared, so did he? Why didn't the family notice this significance if now they claim he is such an oddball? Maybe he's not such an oddball after all?

Another story in the news from Donovan's ex wife Susan Bird"He was addicted to opiates and when he was high he wanted sex all the time. But when he was off them, he used to have black moods." She also claimed he liked women to dress up as schoolgirls.

Believe of that what you will. Remember it was Michael Donovan/Paul Drake as he was back then who was given custody of their daughters and not her so what sort of woman is she? Pot, kettle and black springs to mind when you read statement from Eleven-year-old Shanice, who was friends with Donovan's daughters, said: "They were always very quiet and did not talk about what went on at home. One of them said their mum was in prison, and the other said she was dead."

Social services in this case sound as though they were in the right position to take the girls away from BOTH parents from all the snippets I have read. Somewhere in everything the truth must be found?

Sue Bird is now 37 and living in Cornwall. For her full 'sensational' (groan) interview see The News Of The World. Sue went on to have four more children with two further partners, none of her children live with her. Both of the girls she had with Donovan are now in care, the other children live with their fathers. Sounds like the media have stepped into a Jeremy Kyle show except this is not funny.

Mick Donovan, a friendless, reclusive oddball used to visit his local corner shop for his lager and his social trip out was to the bingo hall. It would appear he has never held down a job and claims disability for depression. One newspaper says he had a brain tumour which left him with a pronounced limp and a slightly paralysed arm. No confirmation of this. He is the youngest of nine children, all of his siblings live within 2 miles of him.

Did Donovan abuse the two young boys who are now both adults? I will not comment on this because should Mr Donovan be charged with the kidnap of Shannon, any previous cases have to be kept quiet - But this sounds like no charges were ever brought? Why? Fear? Not true? Cashing in? Sorry, if I am hurting anyone here but it will happen when newspapers are paying BIG money.

Sue Bird claims she contacted the police to warn them about her ex husband, Lidgate Garden residents claim they contacted the police too. So why did it take so long for Shannon to be rescued?

Today police said they had never received Donovan's name? They would have acted "in an instant" on any firm information about her whereabouts. Chief Superintendent Barry South said: "Let me put on notice that had we known at any time the whereabouts of Shannon, we would have been there within seconds."These people are now coming out of the woodwork." Why would they lie? Again is it the money, confusion, too much information to get through or too much paperwork?

Melvin Glew 62, contacted the police 11 days ago - or rather he contacted the MISSING PERSONS charity who handled the poster campaign. Granddad Glew, cannot confirm the date or or time when he called but said there was a recorded message.

Other residents may have called the police but did they give a name? I can imagine thousands of calls were made and linking two and two to make four would have been impossible. If the 'family' did not notice that Donovan had gone off the radar then how did they expect complete strangers in the police force?

For those who are left wondering why Donovan changed his name, I still do not have a clue? What has been reported on some websites is that he chose the surname because of his favourite cheesy popstar Jason Donovan. Maybe he wanted a new life? Maybe the tumour story is true and his personality was affected causing changes in judgement.....and changes in name? I am working on this one.

Up until Friday, most people looked at Mick Donovan's nephew Craig, Shannon's stepfather, and questioned his motives? Was he the guilty one? Is it his fault? What has he done? Has he hurt his stepdaughter? Karen Matthew's parents have made no secret that they despise Craig Meehan and there is an article in the Mail today to confirm their feelings.

This whole story looks like a sad indictment of what some parts of society are like nowadays. Donovan's ex wife's six children all scattered, Shannon's brothers and sisters in different homes and now she herself is in a 'home'. Her grandparents instead of slagging off their own daughter should be supporting her and showing her how to be a GOOD parent. Maybe if Karen Matthews had more confidence, she would not have had seven children with six fathers? Karen Matthews would be happier within herself and any wastrels would go by the wayside. Shannon and any brothers or sisters would in turn feel that confidence from their mother and home life would be a much calmer, joyful place. That said I am being incredibly judgemental and I bet there are times when happiness comes easily. I just think if Karen's parents were better parents themselves, Shannon would benefit more than from them bitching. End of Wiglet sermon.


Police are saying that they believe Donovan acted alone. They have now been granted up to 24 hours further questioning time which leaves them till Tuesday morning to charge or release Donovan.

Does this now mean that police do not believe that this is NOT a money making hoax?
A money-making scam theory was backed up by former top cop John Stalker who told The People newspaper: "The arrest of a family member throws up difficult questions.
Distasteful as it will be, police must seriously examine whether connivance in a manufactured disappearance of Shannon may be a feature."

"The Madeleine McCann case and the massive funds it raised will not have gone unnoticed by less scrupulous people."

"Police are now beginning to build up a picture that this was perhaps more sinister than anyone had realised. Had police not acted when they did, the situation could have become very grave indeed." Said a source for Sky news

Shannon has been made the subject of an emergency police protection order, which will be in place "as long as is necessary", a police spokesman said.

Curiouser and curiouser?

Photos thanks to a variety of sources
Photo 1 Sun headline the day Shannon was found
Photo 2 Sue Bird, Donovan's ex wife
Photo 3 Karen Matthew's parents June and Gordon.
Photo 4 Karen Matthews
Photo 5 John Stalker ex Deputy Chief of Greater Manchester Police